Camping in the Albion area of southern Idaho includes both developed campgrounds and primitive sites throughout the Sawtooth National Forest. Bennett Springs Campground provides a secluded camping experience with only four sites, while Lake Cleveland offers camping on both its east and west sides with lake access and mountain views. The region accommodates tent and RV camping, with sites ranging from fully developed facilities at Village of Trees RV Resort to rustic camping at Twin Lakes and Thompson Flat. Most campgrounds are situated at higher elevations, providing cooler temperatures and scenic mountain landscapes.
Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly by season in the Albion region. Many campgrounds, particularly those at higher elevations like Lake Cleveland, operate only from late June or early July through October or November due to snow conditions. "We took the long drive up and arrived at the campground at night. Didn't see the snow and almost got stuck. Currently (5/10/24) there is snow blocking the entrance and impassible," reported one camper about Bennett Springs in May. The routes to some campgrounds require careful navigation, with McClendon Spring Campground accessed via steep dirt roads that may require 4WD vehicles. Cell phone coverage is surprisingly good at several locations, including Thompson Flat, where visitors noted getting "excellent signal for both cell and TV" due to proximity to a nearby tower.
Campers consistently praise the natural features of the area, particularly the alpine lakes and wildflower displays. Thompson Flat Campground receives positive reviews for its proximity to Lake Cleveland and opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. A visitor noted, "The wild flowers were gorgeous, my kids were in heaven!" Twin Lakes Campground offers a quieter experience with sites nestled among trees, providing ample shade and hammock opportunities. Weekend crowding can be an issue at popular locations, with one review mentioning Thompson Flat becoming "completely overrun by large crowds of people" during peak periods. For those seeking solitude, the west side of Lake Cleveland typically has fewer sites and less RV traffic due to rougher access roads. McClendon Spring is described by one camper as feeling "like you accidentally stumble on utopia" with its combination of mountain views, forest coverage, and small lake.
"What a great find during our travels through Southern Idaho. Situated by a pond with lots of birds made our stay very peaceful."
"Road 1250 off of Highway 81 is probably not going to work if towing due to a somewhat tight turn at the second cattle guard but more of a concern is the big dip right after that guard The entrance is"
"Located next to the philip s66 off the I84 so a bit of traffic noise"
"WiFi was good for browsing and reached throughout the park
-A short path leads to a public launch on the Snake River.
-The office is also a diner with breakfast and lunch."
"Lake Cleveland is approximately 2 miles away and has great fishing opportunities. Mt. Harrison Peak is 3.1 miles away and gives beautiful views into the South and West of Idaho. "
"Our site was not too close to any others except the other one we booked with friends. Decent bathrooms. Close to Lake Cleveland. Great birding in the actual campground."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $8 - $50 / night
"It's right on the river with a great paved walking trail through an arboretum. Our dogs loved it."
"It is a real gem along the Snake River adjacent to the campground. Camp Host did a great job and was very helpful. My pull through was level and had full hookups. WiFi was also great."
"Driving up to Lake Cleveland I realized that this was the same road we traveled in the winter to get to one of our local ski mountains. "
"This is a beautiful Campsite right on Lake Cleveland. The East side is great for RV's while the West end is better for Tents."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
"We found this site on the Dyrt in looking for a stopover between Park city Utah and Boise Idaho. Wow, Bennet Springs is a hidden gem!"
"Our favorite site has a little creek right next to it. Great for kids to play in. There's also a trail that goes along the creek which starts at the bottom most campsite."
"City Of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho Fascinating, desolate, historical State Park."
"Sites are dispersed throughout the entire park, as opposed to being condensed into one central location. It makes for some very unique and private sites - no two alike."
"This is another great campsite on the road that heads up to Lake Cleveland and Mt Harrison. "
"Just a short walk away brings you to incredible views and cool rock formations. There is an outhouse but no running water and it’s a trash in/trash out campsite."
from $5 / night
"One moment you are driving through farmland. The next moment a canyon appears out of nowhere. There is a beach there are waterfalls and the views are absolutely amazing."
"I haven't explored all the spots around the water since I got here at sunset but it's really cool and super close to the water."
"This campground is situated around Lake Cleveland as well but sits on the west side as the name implies. "
"We went with friends and got lucky with the last two spots being next to each other so we took them both. We have a huge tent and they had a big one as well. We had spot 26 and 27."
GuideSignificant traffic noise, but to be expected when so convenient to the freeway. The only non-electric sites are parking on the side of the road as no vehicles are allowed on the grass in the tent area. Not ideal for me in a truck camper. But still a nice stop over for one night.
LegendNew place so the trees are small but it is by far the closest camping with services to both the national monument and the state park hiking area. They seem to have added some services since the last reviews and now have an outdoor shower, 3 pit toilets along with the electric and water services. All in, the camping rate is extremely reasonable as compared to the state park rates and the access to hiking and climbing couldn't be better.
LegendI have really enjoyed my one night stop here. Go to the lower campground so that you stay away from the noise of the road. But if you're a trail person and a view person, this is by far the nicest state park so far. Unfortunately I camped in the upper campground. The water was on, but the bathrooms were closed. The lower bathrooms were still open. But they're old and not well maintained.
LegendGreat dispersed site with views of the snow dusted hills, stars and a beautiful sunrise. We were the only camper the night we spent in our way through the area. This is definitely worth a repeat should we find ourselves in the area again. It was a bit confusing entering the area. Road 1250 off of Highway 81 is probably not going to work if towing due to a somewhat tight turn at the second cattle guard but more of a concern is the big dip right after that guard The entrance is quite narrow as well. The first road in off Highway 77 has you opening and closing a couple gates and is a bit rough until you get to the main road. There is mention of a second entrance off 77 but we didn’t check that one out. The vault toilet was very clean but was out of TP. Pack it in-pack it out
LegendI'm camping at the milliner historic park. And it is very very nice. The camp spots are basic pit. Toilet sometimes trash down. Little gravel roads right next to the water. The park is pretty huge, though. And they have just paved the incoming road. Typical BLM except it has lots and lots of stuff to see and paths to walk so fun place to visit. Day passes $5 and camping is 15, so I believe you owe a total of 20 I. Couldn't find a way online to actually pay for the camping. So I think you have to use the entrance fees area.
LegendPretty sure they're managed by the same county organization and use the same website. It's a cute little park out on a spit, surrounded by water. There was no host and it definitely points one at the website for reservations. Water and electric and pit toilets. The sign points to a dump station in nearby Kimberly.
LegendFor a county park, it's cute if small. The issue is getting a reservation requires a myriad of information on a website which is kind of just too much. Seems like the prices are reasonable. The place is cute. The toilets trash electric hookups. I have not seen water or sewer.
LegendThere are about 10 formal spots and more dispersed spots if you have a vehicle to get back there. Bathrooms, fire ring, picnic tables and trash at the park next door around a small but drying out lake. Free as of today still.
GuideWe drove through. Beautiful suites. Super windy in mid October.
The Albion area sits in the Sawtooth National Forest of southern Idaho, with elevations ranging from 5,400 to over 10,000 feet at nearby Mt. Harrison. This varied terrain creates distinct camping microclimates, with higher sites offering refuge from summer heat. Cell service is surprisingly strong at many camping spots near Albion, Idaho due to nearby communications towers, though access roads vary significantly in quality and seasonal condition.
Fishing at Lake Cleveland: Both east and west sides of Lake Cleveland offer fishing opportunities with crystal clear waters. "We could see fish swimming among the rocks from 20' above on the road! Walking down to the lake there were even more trout than we had initially seen," noted one visitor to Lake Cleveland - East Side.
Hiking to Mt. Harrison: From camping areas, follow trails to Mt. Harrison for panoramic views. "Mt. Harrison Peak is 3.1 miles away and gives beautiful views into the South and West of Idaho. There is a fire watch tower there along with an interpretive area to learn about the plants in the area," reports a camper at Thompson Flat Campground.
Bird watching and wildlife spotting: Multiple sites offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Situated by a pond with lots of birds made our stay very peaceful. Lights of a nearby town (Malta) could be seen from a distance making this spot even more lovely at night," shared a reviewer at McClendon Spring Campground.
Secluded sites for peace and quiet: Bennett Springs provides isolation with just four sites. "A surprise little campground in a mountain pass between two plains. The altitude gain is enough to get some cool air if you are down in the valley and hot," according to one visitor to Bennett Springs.
Access to creeks and water features: Many campsites offer water access beyond just the main lakes. "Our favorite site has a little creek right next to it. Great for kids to play in. There's also a trail that goes along the creek which starts at the bottom most campsite," shared another Bennett Springs camper.
Tree coverage for shade and hammocks: Forested sites provide natural cooling. "The campground is nestled in a nice grove of trees that has a small creek running through it. Really cool trees and Aspen to explore," reported a visitor at McClendon Spring Campground.
Road access varies dramatically: Many sites require careful navigation on unpaved roads. "Google maps led us down an unpassable road. Instead take Tiffler Road/1250 S from the 81 for a smoother ride (still dirt but passable in a 2WD vehicle)," advised one McClendon Spring camper.
Facilities are limited at primitive sites: Most high-elevation sites have minimal amenities. "Vault toilets, no water so be prepared," notes a visitor at McClendon Spring, while another mentioned "our site was not too close to any others except the other one we booked with friends. Decent bathrooms."
Weekend crowding can be intense: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. "You might think the campgrounds are similar but the west side is where you go if you want to get away from the RVs and trailers as the road is a good bit rougher going to the other side," explained a camper at Lake Cleveland Campground West Side.
Creek exploration opportunities: Small water features provide kid-friendly activities. "It only has 4 sites but it is free and it has a bathroom. Our favorite site has a little creek right next to it. Great for kids to play in," shared a Bennett Springs visitor.
Wildflower viewing in season: Time visits for peak wildflower blooms, typically June-July. "What a great find during our travels through Southern Idaho. Situated by a pond with lots of birds made our stay very peaceful," noted a McClendon Spring camper.
Playground access at developed sites: Some lower-elevation sites offer built amenities. "Nice park with play equipment for the kids during the midday hours. It probably wouldn't be too bad for a day spot," mentioned a reviewer at Lake Walcott State Park Campground.
Full-service options available: Several sites offer complete hookups for RVs. "Sites here are easy pull-thrus with full hookups. A nice little patch of grass spaces out RV's and gives each site its own outdoor space," reported a visitor at Village of Trees RV Resort.
High-elevation RV access limitations: Upper mountain sites have restrictions for larger rigs. "Looks like a nice spot with a pit toilet, but there is only 2 spots that I saw, both taken," noted one McClendon Spring visitor regarding availability.
Tent fields at RV parks: Some RV-focused sites offer dedicated tent areas. "Being an RV resort but tent camping we were a bit concerned about being placed between big RV. But for tent camping we were told we could install wherever we wanted in one of 2 very large grass fields," shared a Village of Trees RV Resort camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Albion, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, Albion, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 71 campgrounds and RV parks near Albion, ID and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Albion, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Albion, ID is McClendon Spring Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Albion, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Albion, ID.
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